Change.

---

DESPERATION.

There weren't any words to describe how she felt that Monday morning in Manhattan. Holden's infatuation with hotel suites came in handy to accompany her comfort at the Intercontinental hotel in Times Square. She lay there beside him tuning out his obnoxiously loud snores as she stared upwards towards the white ceiling. She sat up and held the silky white sheets over her chest staring at the view of the city.

You'll never be the same again.

She hated hearing that phrase but they were right. She wasn't the same girl that started seven months ago. This business has changed her and she would need to accept that. Serenity slipped into her underwear before taking refuge on the window panels for a closer view of the traffic below. She held her knees close to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. Her lip quivered and she sighed.

All In right? Kemp. You son of a bitch. You caught me good from behind with that steel chair but you made a grave mistake putting me down for good. This is your holy grail. The last year's winner of All In became world champion at Execution. Kemp, do you think history repeats itself? Not for you. You should have double-tapped me while you had the chance.

But perhaps you're more idiotic than you naturally look. For someone who is accomplished in this company, why did you resort to the games you played? I'll tell you why. You feared the competition has outgrown you. Passed you by with pure ease and you're right to fear that. This time, I'll return the favor to you when I knock you so clean off that ladder that you'll understand that the generation doesn't need you anymore.

And that pain will continue to hurt you. The one-hit wonder of Action Wrestling is desperate to redeem himself again. Pathetic. I need this more than you. You had your chance, you made use of it but then you blew it. You tasted the top and it told you no. Ever since then, you've failed. You're drowning and have a small chance to breathe again but this time, I'll hold your head under water and watch you sink away down to the bottom of nothing.

"Babe?"

She looked over her shoulder instantly at Holden sitting up against the bed frame. Serenity waved her hand and he smiled as he got up and sat next to her on the window's panel. He gently held her from behind and kissed her on the neck but her demeanor remained stagnant.

"You coming to shower?"

"I will babe. I just need to think." Her tone was friendly but her face was still. Holden escaped into the bathroom for his shower but Serenity's eyes were glued to the city. She couldn't bear to look at him as her gut became twisted from the emotions emulating in chaos regarding her upcoming match.

But guess who will be joining you, Kemp? Phoenix. Do you remember when it was just you two on top of the ladder and you threw him off? That man resented you and Phoenix has every right to revenge. CJ has been there clawing at the glass ceiling. Yes CJ. You've been here so long and you're at the limitations of your career. Knocking, banging, and screaming at those hauling the world championship away from you. We saw that look of burning disappointment when you lost to DiVito.

The same pain as Kemp ruined you. So close but no cigar as they say it? That's why this is important to you. For someone who enjoys doing King Shit, you know how to be the Hand to every King in Action Wrestling. Always following behind, never the leader. No Phoenix. This isn't your time. Your little King Shit isn't big enough when I become All In and show you why Queens were always feared from the Bloody Mary's straight to the Danaery's.

But I'll oblige you on this promise. When I take the throne and hold onto the prize of the briefcase, you can carry it for me. Make sure it's clean and ready when I cash in. I want you there to hold my hand as you've been the gatekeeper to the main event scene in Action Wrestling. I like you Phoenix but sometimes the truth has to be told. You are simply not that good enough.

"Honey?" Once again, she looked over her shoulder again to her love walking out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around him. Serenity finally showed him the etiquette of eye contact as he sat in front of her looking curious about the unusual dead expression on her face. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Ya haven't been like yourself recently. It's almost like you keep snapping in and out of reality. Is there something you want to talk about?"

She looked away and he sighed.

"Is it about us? About me?" Serenity looked at him again and she smiled. She pulled him into a tight hug resting her head on his right shoulder but her facial expression reverted to that cold blank canvas from before. Holden felt her warmth but she felt the fear.

He wouldn't be able to understand. I'm scared of losing him. I'm scared of showing him that side again but to be all in, I have to forsake him this one time to accomplish grabbing that briefcase. I'm willing to sacrifice it all to be the one at the top of that ladder and burying you both would be poetic justice.

"No babe. We're absolutely fine. I promise I have everything under control."

---

BETRAYAL.

"That's really what you told him?"

"What was I supposed to say?" Serenity and her old friend, Jessica, walked down the open pathway through the hillside of central park. Both had their beverages from Starbucks and the two managed to catch up after not seeing each other for years. Jessica paid close attention to Serenity walking aimlessly, her head down and eyes following the painted lines of the road. "It was hard to even say anything to him without telling him how I truly felt."

"Well, maybe you should tell him. I don't know Serenity. You're different." Serenity's eyebrow perched upwards the moment they sat down on a bench. She drove a piercing glare at Jessica who shrugged her shoulders.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I can't explain.

"Well, you said it so please do."

"I mean. We've been friends for a long time and it's surprising that you hit me up but not under good circumstances. I don't know girl but it's like what we've been telling you. The moment you start wrestling..."

You'll never be the same again.

Again with her too? Hmph. I'm not surprised. It seems no one knows what goes on except for me. It's ironic how those closest to you will try to relate to you about things they know nothing about. A little psychological breakdown to help soothe it all. Hey Regan, sound familiar? Is this the part you brag about how you defeated me at XIII when I was Womens Champion? Congratulations, you beat me fair and square but I broke out the bloody side of your demented mind.

I looked you in those dead eyes of yours and showed you no fear. Now you're walking around in Action Wrestling thinking this will be a piece of cake. That you can walk into the ladder match holding that over my head like every other victim you enjoyed torturing in your family's little dungeon.

Here's an update: Not going to happen.

I'm ready for you Regan. I'm ready to slaughter you like every pig you sent to your slaughterhouse. I want to see the blood run down your face and that sinister smile you always show but this time, I'm not being pinned. I'm going to stand ten feet high above you and look down at the pathetic waste of human remains you are.

And that's for everyone you've made a victim in your life at the expense of your disgusting family.

You psychotic bitch.

"Are you kidding me?" Her response startled Jessica. Serenity immediately got up from the bench and marched off being followed by Jessica who tugged on her arm to spin her around.

"What is your issue?! You've been very distant from everyone recently and we're all worried. We're just trying to look out for you. People care about you Serenity and you don't have to be stro-"

Serenity splashed Jessica in the face with her beverage causing bystanders to the scene. She marched off again going south in Central Park leaving a soaked former friend attended by others. Serenity's eyes were fixated upon the ground, her fists balled tightly and her body walking in this form of tyranny. She breathed heavily as the words replayed in her mind.

Jill. Do you think about that too especially now you've taken the belt away from the woman that's done me wrong? Now you're a double champion and you still are friends with Regan. The two of you have this bond that I'm jealous of. Never show any type of jealousy and are always there for each other. A third belt would be great for you, no? After all, you've been so high on the platform in Action Wrestling but now it's time to knock you down from that high horse you've been riding.

You're a disgusting piece of shit. You're just as bad as the company you keep and it's a damn shame I have to witness the championship I built play second fiddle to you and you treat it like nothing. You're a straight-up bitch always seeking someone to hurt for your pleasure. With such a cute face, you enjoy being the resident bitch here but I'm willing to show you just how petty I can be too.

I'm going to hurt Regan in front of you and batter your body down with the ladder. You've been at the top for too long with the United States Championship and now having the Women's Championship makes my blood boil.

That belt meant my work and to see it around you makes me sick. You make me sick. Everything about you is a disease Jill that needs to be purged. You're a walking quarantine to this business and it's about time someone throws you out.

I'm glad I get to be the one to do it.

"SERENITY!!!" Jessica's voice shattered across the central park but Serenity was hidden under the tunnels from the surface dwellers. She leaned her back against the wall, her arms folded across her chest as she couldn't fathom why her friend became a heretic against her. She knew she shouldn't be feeling this way but the anger became abrupt and unstable. She contemplated removing Jessica from her life permanently. What the hell was she becoming?

Serenity kept marching on alone through this dark tunnel. Perhaps, for now, she needed to be alone on this path.

You two were meant for each other. That's a friendship that you'll cherish especially in this ladder match. The two of you bleeding together as you watch me hold the prize above my head and then you'll question each other as to how a little rookie overcame the two of you.

Maybe because there are no friends in this business. Maybe because friendship is a lie we tell ourselves is a big part of the main character syndrome.

In the end, there's always one that stands above the rest and that's me. I hope you two sociopaths enjoy remembering that in the padded cell you share.

---

SEPARATION.

"Hey, Dad." She rested her phone on the desk and leaned against the lampstand while her father was on the phone. Serenity sat in front of her phone smiling at her dad on FaceTime who was more than ecstatic to see his little girl. For a mere moment, the two said nothing until he broke the ice.

"What's wrong love?"

"A lot." She tilted her head down and rubbed her thighs with her hands. Serenity placed a piece of her hair behind her right ear before looking upwards and then back to the screen. "I don't know what's going on. Things have been changing and it's hard to adjust. Things are moving too fast."

"Between you and Holden?"

"No!" She frantically shook her head. "I mean, maybe, I don't know. Everything. I feel like I'm not who I used to be and it sucks."

He let her have her moment to reel it all in. Serenity didn't like to be separated from her boyfriend but she needed to be alone in the room to get her thoughts across. He could tell his daughter was going through some rough patches but he had to be sure.

"Is it because of Alice Gemini?"

Alice Gemini? The woman who made my life a living hell? Not. I'm glad we're meeting again. I've been wanting to meet her in person because she's nothing more than a thorn I can't remove from our family's name. Alice has caused us so much pain yet here we are on equal grounds. She took everything from me and left me with nothing yet here we are on the same playing field.

It eats her soul alive knowing that I can come back from a loss and still be better than her. She resents me because I can return stronger than ever but what did she do? What has she done when she promised to be better than me?

Nothing.

She lost the Women's Championship to Jill and never made any significant change with the belt. Her reign never lasted as long as mine which means she lied to my face all this time!

It wasn't about being Women's Champion? It was about trying to be me. She wanted to be me so bad. Did she want fame, family legacy, respect, and rising popularity? Everything in her career revolves around me so I will make sure this will be done in such a fashion she'll loathe me forever.

When I see the look of despair on her face, that's revenge. That's when I'll know she can't put me down and she'll be scrapping at the chance to take everything from me again. Only this time, she won't. She won't take the All In briefcase from me for I'll be too busy cashing in on the golden opportunity to be the youngest Action Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion!

"A little bit. After that situation, I've kind of been more violent. I guess the temper runs in our blood more than I thought." She chuckled and he nodded his head.

"It's alright. You're at a point now where you're starting to grow and the environment will change. I'll tell you as everyone else has told me. Truth is love when it comes to life and everything else."




There it was again. Serenity rolled her eyes and then rested her head on the desk. Her father gave her a moment to herself and Serenity couldn't look at him as she buried her face in her arms. "Dad, can I call you back?"

"Sure love." He ended the call and she sat up, her eyes closed but she knew those words were coming again. It haunted her everywhere she went.

How many times have you changed Teo? Frankly, if anyone would understand that phrase, it would be you. The cruiserweight champion under the mercy of a little girl and no mask can protect you from the humiliation I've caused. How does it feel that after all these years, you're still under the mercy of a Holmes?

No need to respond. We saw how I made you crumble and took the fight to you. I gave you an easy contender as you were awarded an easy way into this match. I had to work for it and no amount of poetry will give you the poetic ending you always preach about it.

Once again, you're the crutch of CruiserClash.

Always chosen to evolve our brand but never pulls the trigger. I'll do it for you Teo. I'll hold that briefcase as the shining beacon of hope for those in our world to expand in this universe and instill that fear that you'll never be safe. Don't get me wrong, I haven't forgotten about you.

I am the face of CruiserClash and that means I am the only cruiserweight that matters in this ladder match. Go on and find another mask to use, change your last name and study the teachings of a dead philosopher to make you sound intelligent.

I'll be leading our brand into the next reality.

"Great. You got my father too." She slammed her fist on the desk and got up before standing in front of the window again. The sounds of traffic and the city were soothing but didn't provide enough comfort. Serenity was losing control of herself but the world didn't care about how she truly felt. No one in this match would care so maybe she had to let it all go for the sake of evolution.

Evolution always wins. That goes from Alice to Teo. You both are trying to be the roadblock in my evolution and that won't work. I'll continue to rise and spit on both of you as you remain obsolete in the hands of time. You've been here for so long Teo? Why break the mold now?

And Alice, you've dropped the one thing I worked for. Do you believe you can redeem yourself? You're fucking mistaken.

---

SOLITUDE.

Grand Central Station.

She always saw it in movies and stood in the center of this miniature city. She admired the famous artwork of the overarching ceiling plus the populated goers fighting tooth and nail through pedestrian traffic to reach their destination. Serenity and Holden were together traveling through the burrows of New York for Uprising but their journey together had been nothing short of awkward silence. Holden stood by her side through it all and was securing their train tickets to Queens at the kiosk.

"Let me handle this real quick." He gently kissed her on the cheek and left her to be alone on a small bench. Serenity watched the rest of the bypasses on their strict routine scheduled with only a few recognizing her from her career. She remained poignant, frozen in time as she loved the environment but those words remained burned in her core.

Sam. Thank you for having my back but we both know it was short-lived. I bet you're feeling the same resentment as I am toward Kyle Kemp but don't think you're above him either. The way you talked behind my back to your little celebrity girlfriend and how you've been on the short end of the stick recently tells me everything. Not to mention, your little callous act of that Hollywood lifestyle you think gives you the right to flex around like you're the bid dog.

You need to understand that you're just as equal as everyone in this match except for me. You've tasted gold, I've tasted gold but the difference between you and me is that I can hold it for longer than one night which you've done but not recently. You've been in this game for too long and still haven't broken upwards to that top of the mountain.

Move away, Sam. We need space for people like me who can accomplish much more in such a short time. I'm ready to bring the fight to you Sam and no producer can help sign you. You'll go to being an influencer worse than Noris Cranley but it's alright. I hope to see you again soon and tell your little New Girl I said hi when you're joining her on re-runs to protect the last scraps of your career.

Who's that girl? It's Serenity.

"Babe." She looked upwards to Holden standing over her with the two tickets in his hand. She took hers and followed him down the pathway to the correct terminals where two metro rail trains were soon to depart to their destinations. The train to Queens was being boarded currently but Serenity stood there on the stairs and Holden noticed. He quickly walked up a couple of steps to comfort her.

"Okay. What's going on? This isn't you. If you don't feel like doing this, just tell me and I'll go back with you." She needed to look him in the eyes after wrapping her arms around his neck.

That would be so easy for you right Downfall? Do you remember when I made the joke about your name? How did Downfall become his Downfall? That phrase was true and it's going to come to pass again for you. After all, you have no one to blame but yourself hence why you did that pathetic attempt of blaming the fans. I guess you and Anthony Joshua have something in common, you both can't handle being at the bottom when at the top for so long.

Longest reigning tag team champion? Former world champion? Has success gotten into that empty cranium of yours? Have you been turned into the primadonna masking as a Bozo walking around with a metal weapon to look hard?

Let's see how much metal you can muster when I shove a ladder so far up your ass that you'll be begging Johnny Baccus to come to your rescue. It's okay Downfall. We all fall but we choose to get up and you made your choice to stay at the bottom.

You're nothing more than a sack of shit deflecting from the idea that you are nothing more than a failure and crutch to your partner. Take pride in that and know you're going to fail at climbing that ladder to hold the briefcase with my name on it.

"No. Let's go. I'm doing this with you and I love you." Both of them kissed and then walked down the stairs following the directions to their specific train. They stood in line as the doors remained open watching the other civilians enter the fray. Holden led first into the train but Serenity took a step as time slowed around her. The breaths from her lips became heavy and she felt her body stiffen from the atmosphere changing.

And this is what I say to everyone in this match. I'm fighting for myself. I'm not fighting to prove a point or to make anyone else happy. You tell me I'll never be the same and you're right. This match at Uprising is going to change me permanently as this will decide what type of competitor I am. With the odds ever against me, most would cut and run yet here I stand on the verge of destiny waiting to write my fate with clear penmanship.

I don't give a damn about my father's legacy or the fact I'm CruiserClash. This isn't about my age or how I'm young and naive.

It's about my choice in accepting change and the change I made will change everything in Action Wrestling.

Because you're right.

I will never be the same again.

Reality reverted to normal and she looked at the open doors to the train with a smile on her face. She took that one great step into her future where those words became a distant memory replaced by these words that would empower her forever.

I'm All In.